Natchez, Mississippi — A quiet Sunday night turned violent in the Maryland Heights subdivision when gunfire ripped through a parked car, killing 29‑year‑old Deja Davis and critically injuring her friend Curtavius Knight, 26. Police say Davis died at the scene, and Knight was rushed by helicopter from Merit Health Natchez to a larger hospital for life‑saving treatment.
Police Chief Caroline Green confirmed Davis’s identity early Monday and said detectives believe multiple suspects fired shots into the vehicle where Davis and Knight were sitting. No one is in custody yet, though officers say they have persons of interest in mind as the investigation continues.
Neighbors described hearing a burst of shots echo through their street. When officers arrived, they found the car riddled with bullet holes and Davis unresponsive. Emergency medical teams quickly focused on Knight, whose injuries were severe enough to require air transport. As of Monday morning, authorities had not released new information about his condition.
This is not the first time Knight’s name has come up in a violent crime. Court documents show that in February 2022 he pleaded guilty to a charge connected to a 2018 homicide, where, prosecutors said, he was in a vehicle while another person opened fire and killed 17‑year‑old Shakeria King. That case led to lengthy prison sentences for the shooter and a suspended portion of Knight’s own sentence, followed by supervised release. Prosecutors at the time said Knight’s truthful testimony was key to locking up the main gunman.
Friends and family of Davis are left grieving and searching for meaning after what was supposed to be a regular night. Those who knew her describe Davis as warm and full of life, a friend who would light up conversations with her laughter. Her loss leaves a hole in the community that won’t soon heal.
Police are now urging anyone with video, tips, or any detail about the shooting to reach out to the Natchez Police Department. They stress that even small pieces of information can help them find those responsible. The department is offering a tip line and reassures neighbors that their calls can be anonymous.
In the days ahead, detectives will be piecing together what led to this deadly shooting and how two lives were caught up in violence on a street that had been peaceful for years. In this town along the Mississippi River, residents are left with questions, sadness, and the hope that justice for Deja Davis comes swiftly.
